A moment of parental pride to start with, dear reader, my lovely 8 year old had a "Belt Test" in his Tae Kwon Do class tonight. I raced out of work to see it and got there just in time to see him put his foot clean through a board. I know the board was made for that but it still gave a bit of a goosebump to see him nail it on the first try. Very cool.

Joshua was right. Imk and Jenks didn't need to try for sexy in the party photos. Ya'all nailed it.

I've been selected to dine with the president of Time Warner Cable on Monday. Don't know if I'm being tossed a bone or if it's just because I wear a suit well, but lunch at the Hyatt never disappoints.

My boss hollared at me today for not being present for an important assignment. What she forgot was that she was the one who sent me away on another fool's errand.

Sort of funny to see my previous job posted all over the place. The gratifying yet surreal thing is to see all the people from other departments who saw the same thing and are giving me the "Mike, see the Marketing opening....gonna apply?" Nice to be thought of, in that sense.

I was watching Sleepless in Seattle with the daughters on Friday night. We got to the scene where Rob Reiner and Tom Hanks were in the bar talking about how long it's been since Hanks had been on the market. When Hanks replied something about the 1980's, my eldest replied, "just like you, Dad." I couldn't help it, I laughed. Rotten kid, should have grounded her, but it sounded too much like a shot I'd take at somebody. Kid belongs on the stage, next one out of town.

Been about a week and half since I'd last had any kind of alcohol, but to come home and find a bottle of Molson Export to have with my pasta may have put me in a good mood. Comfort food is a good thing.

Sigh, onward and upward. Less than two weeks of shopping days left before the grand pagan ritual and three to the next PMT bash.

Who's my secret Santa, Imk?

As I write this, the ENknot-a-thon is in full swing. Thanks to a confluence of events, my young son called and asked to come over because his sister is having an overnight.

Can't say no to that, so the twister games, beverages of unusual origin and the intriguing goings on in attics will go on without my "lame" partaking. I am doing a good guy thing, allowing the ex to go catch up with some childhood buddies for a bit while manning the domestic front.
It happened sort of suddenly and hey, it ain't often you qet requests, so, I'll make the official bash.

Just wanted to say hope there is much fun being had, cameras a whirring and that Tony has a great night. You're a good dude and I wish I'd celebrated my 30th with as much style.

Have a great night, partyin peeps.

I'm not happy



I got a heap of more trivialities dumped on me at work, where a large scale layoff got announced.

I have to move my desk set up again and I don't even have a red stapler to boot.

My immediate bosses are lovely people but shitful administrators.

My resumes aren't getting nibbles of late,

Probably can't go to the party on Saturday.

Hasn't been a week for bragging....

I don't feel good

Show's over

Move along

Nothing to see

Some random thoughts from a strange day/weekend (aren't they all).

I belong to the Unitarian Church on Elmwood. Twice a year they host a "Music Sunday." An small orchestra teams up with the church choir. It's pretty great and turns more into a free concert instead of a church service. That's a minor gripe, but the attrtaction itself does reveal that the church does instead have its share of hypocrites and tight-asses, many of whom believe that the presence of a few violins make them think they are at a concert hall. I wasn't there because of my Bills committment, but My ex and number one son were in the front row. Preparations were under way, musicians were tuning up and my lovely boy was asking his mom a few questions about the instruments. You don't exactly see many bassoons daily on Elmwood now. Keep in mind people are still streaming in, chatting and whatnot. This old bitty sitting nearby thought she was at the Philharmonic because she was ssshing my son. "Is he going to be talking during the performance?" she actually had the nerve to ask. Much to her credit, my ex explained in a level, yet go fuck yourself tone that the performance hadn't started and since children were asking genuinely interested questions, shouldn't those questions be given respected and answered to encourage interest??

At this point, the old bitty mumbled her way into silence. The space between these two parties was broken up by a couple who sat down and TALKED through much of the service.

Made me smile.

Elsewhere, a friggin cold day of football themed activities. Through the magic of gift card, I took breakfast at Panos. The Panos I knew is gone. A chicken souvlaki breakfast and coffee used up the entire 15.00 on the card. It was great but I remember when 15 used to be enough to feed 3 people back when Panos was in the Falafel Bar space. mmmmmm.......orange milkshakes.

My long johns earned their money yesterday as it was brisk. Got to work in the lower portion of the stadium yesterday and it was fun to actually see the game. My position as a dugout usher made me stay till about 20 minutes after the games end, a new policy that ensured that the traffic jams were well established. It was a familar face day. A few old acquaintances drifted by. Had the pleasant encounter of directing (e:Enknot) to a seat. The birthday boy is a good luck charm. Shortly after that, I ran into woman I hadn't seen in sometime. She used to bellydance with my former spouse, and greeted me with something between a warm greeting and a tonscilectomy. "We should go out sometime," she yelled over her shoulder, heading back to her seat.

Pretty sure we nearly just did, our hero thought.

It started snowing on the way home. I'm not a big snow for the holidays kind of guy. It's a fairly long walk from my post at the stadium to where employees have to park. The Bills run shuttles for us, but I almost never take them. After standing in one spot for so long, it kind of feels good to stretch your legs with the walk. I cut across the main lot, snow is pelting me in the face, change direction to walk down Abbot Rd, snow shifts direction ( like barbeque smoke), I got to my car and made an old man noise when I sat down in my drivers seat. Good thing the season is almost over.

Getting a little old for this shit. Bowl of pasta at home a little later and I was out by 10.

Stay warm peeps, mondays are getting colder.

Reminded me of this story.

Two boys from Buffalo are playing street hockey when one of the boys is attacked by a rapid pit bull. Thinking quickly, the other boy takes the hockey stick, wedges it down the dog's collar and twists, breaking the dog's neck and freeing his friend.

A Buffalo new reporter hears about the incident and rushes over to interview the boy. "Young Sabres Fan Saves Friend from Vicious Animal," he starts writing in his notebook.

"But I'm not a Sabres fan," the young hero replies.

"Sorry, " replied the reporter "since we're in Buffalo, I just assumed you were." "Bills fan rescues friend from horrific attack," the reporter continues in his notebook.

"But I'm not a Bills Fan, either," the boy responds.

"I just that everyone in Buffalo was either a Sabres or a Bills Fan," replied the reporter, "Whome do you root for?"

"I'm a Toronto Maple Leafs fan," the boy answers proudly.

The reporter starts a new sheet in his notebook and writes, "Little Canadian Bastard Kills Beloved Family Pet."

This is worth doing, go click a few cans, peeps

CAMPBELL SOUP HAS A PROMOTION FOR EACH CITY WITH A NFL FRANCHISE. GO INTO THEIR WEB SITE AND VOTE FOR THE TEAM IN YOUR CITY. FOR EACH VOTE CAMPBELL'S WILL DONATE A CAN OF SOUP TO A SOUP KITCHEN IN THAT CITY.
GOOD CAUSE, PASS IT ON. It TAKES LESS THAN 10 SECONDS OF YOUR TIME.

Never thought it would happen. I love my Ipod and the Itunes store is a lovely thing, but the store is ticking me off lately. They're getting a little more underhanded. I was scouring for a bunch of favorites and the amount of album only tracks is on the rise. To get the song you want, you got to spring for the whole album. I know they've done that a little as part of the stock in trade, but with the recent flood of new music and repackages, it seems to be policy for a large percentage of the recent stuff. I decided that I didn't need another version of "Where the Streets Have No Name" at those rates. The five I have will have to do.

In other nurseable grudge news, after 15 months of pestering, my landlord is finally taking some steps to repair a water damaged area of my wall. Each slightly more comical than the next. His regular handyman cleaned all the craptastic plaster away (sounds like a band, Craptastic Plaster!!) and said the construction guy will call. I was at work last night when he called wanting to come in. Told him about having to work for the cable man for another hour. He replies he'd call tonight. I took my kids to school this morning and was headed to Spot when the phone announced it was him. I traipsed back home to meet him, sans coffee (grrrr) and he comes up. He takes a look at the size of the hole (picture to follow) and says we need to fill that in.

I'm so glad we called in a consultant.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to hell. I've got 15 people to sign up for the digital cable package being advertised. Getting a commission makes me feel a little dirty. At this rate, if the cable farm doesn't jive, I can always get a polyester checked coat and head out and schill for Fucillo's.

What else is griping me? Stranger Than Fiction didn't have the good sense to play downtown. May have to treat myself to the Casino Royale tonight and a big bag of popcorn tonight for the 9:00 show. Any takers? (get your own corn).

Just had a customer who had a baby in the backpack. The baby had the best evil laugh I've heard all day. Funnier coming from a baby sack.

Get outside, while the getting is good.

Later

Strange doings. I came out of Starbucks last night to see a little weasel trying to place a parking ticket on my car. It wasn't a city ticket. I guess the lot makes bucks off the bar crowd. I explaned to said weasel that I was slurping in fine company and leaving. As he was 5 '1 and I'm not. I won.

Leaving work today, I was meandering out of ECC South in a long chain of cars when this woman in her outback ran into me. She was looking for phones or something. She got out and inspected for damages, muttering how we were crawliing along and, I interjected about all the more reason to pay attention. No harm done, but it shakes you a little. I let loose with a stay off the phone until you are in front me crack. I found safe harbor at an old colleague's of mine for dinner. It was great. We were kindred spirits in the early 90s in with a book publisher. She's thinking about applying at TW and I'm encouraging it. Be fun to cause some havoc with some deeper pockets than we had in the publishing industry.

Vehicle shenanigans aside, it was a lovely weekend. I worked one of the aisles today and it was nice change to see the game and all the hoopla. Took the kids to the rents house so they could all get caught up. We chowed down on pizza and spotted the hanging munkin in the Wizard of Oz.

This morning, I caught Spot on a good morning and a Mike sent me on my way out to the Stadium on a even keel. Having planned ahead, coffee, a doughnut and the sunday paper journeyed with me. So, I had a chance to get caught up on the news and the want ads before going to face all the football fans. It was a beautiful day in Orchard Park and it felt like a bonus. I'm sure we'll pay for it next week

Found a few notable classifieds I may investigate further to boot.

Watch out ya'all, here comes Monday.......

I feel like Dante in the original Clerks. "I'm not supposed to be here today."

And there is really no reason except somebody felt like denying. It's been a week full of snubs. My manager handing some crap out to everybody except me, saying there isn't enough. Well, I'm thinking then DONT FUCKING GIVE IT OUT. Common Sense is in short supply.

Well, it was a nice idea. Even though I have the time coming, I got rejected in my plan to take the fridays of December off. I suspect largely that I just got beaten to the punch, but it can't help but give you a complex. There is a screwy complicated system for accounting for your time and it didn't have me completely resolved until the middle of October. Being poor, I've been nickel and dime-ing my time with a day here, a day there ever since and I somehow still have 40 hours of time to play with, but so far no love.........bastards.

Saw a project coordinator opening at Roswell Peep and mailed off some stuff yesterday morning. They want stuff I can do with my eyes closed so I did up a resume/cover letter combo and it will be in when inhumane resources opens up again on Monday.

Having to work today is a little surreal. The phones are almost inanimate objects.

Yesterday was a good day off. Caught up on sleep, hung out with the youngins for a little while, sponged off the suburban parents. It was an interesting drive through the fog. I skipped the expressway for a tour through Main street back into the city. It was a little better lit and easier to see. I was cruising up by Main and Parker and this one car was scaring the crap out of me. They were moving around with no lights. Both schmucks in the car were yawning and looking like they were on a sofa instead of behind the wheel. I cruised up Parker to avoid their inevitable impact with whatever stops in front of them. I got me and my left overs safely into apartment in time for a good episode of Grey's -- the awkward look between Alex and Addison?? They'll be the doctor with two backs by February sweeps.

Heard from a former colleague Wednesday night who lives in Orchard Park who offered beer and food after the Bills game on Sunday. That seems like an infinitely better way to wait out traffic coming out of work than I usually get. She offered Labatt's and food. My stock answer is usually "Yes, please."

Got the rest of the kids shopping done with a few keystrokes yesterday, so I can afford to sit and laugh at the freaks who partake of Black Friday. 5am is something nobody in their sane mind CHOOSES to see.

If I am ever at a Target at that hour, you are welcome to slap me, hard.

Make it a good one, ya'all.